Lil Jones: The Drag Racer with a Passion for Paint
In the high-speed world of drag racing, where performance and precision reign supreme, appearance still plays a crucial role. One racer who understands both speed and style is Jonathan “Lil Jones” Jones. As the son of legendary bracket racer “Tricky” Ricky Jones, Lil Jones grew up immersed in the sport, traveling across the country to big-money bracket races and witnessing some of the most stunning paint schemes in the industry. Now, he’s making a name for himself—not just behind the wheel, but in the paint booth.
From Dream to Reality: The Birth of Jones Paint Design
From a young age, Lil Jones dreamed of owning his own paint shop. Inspired by the eye-catching designs he saw at the races, he envisioned a future where he could craft custom paint jobs for top competitors. That dream became a reality with the launch of Jones Paint Design (JPD).
Though Jones had been painting as a hobby since 2011, it wasn’t until December 2023 that he took the leap to make JPD a full-time business. Located in Jackson, Georgia—just 35 miles south of Atlanta and 10 miles from Summit Racing—JPD quickly gained traction in the racing community. In its first full year, the shop painted nine race cars for some of the sport’s most well-known racers, including the Best Appearing Car at the 2024 Fall Fling 500K event in Bristol, Tennessee.
A Personalized Approach to Paint Design
What sets JPD apart is its commitment to precision, detail, and customer collaboration. Lil Jones works closely with racers to create renderings of their dream paint schemes, ensuring that every detail aligns with their vision. From the first sketch to the final coat of paint, JPD offers a hands-on approach that guarantees a unique and professional finish. Depending on the complexity of the design and the number of additional painted parts, projects typically take between three to eight weeks to complete.
Beyond race cars, JPD extends its design expertise to custom fire suits in collaboration with Alliance Racewear, providing racers with a fully coordinated look on and off the track. Alliance’s suits are among the lightest and most comfortable on the market, making them a perfect match for JPD’s cutting-edge designs.
Expanding the Vision: Junior Dragsters & Industry Partnerships
As a father, Lil Jones is also passionate about the next generation of racers. His son is already eager to get behind the wheel, and through a partnership with NextLevel, JPD has helped bring to life one of the most exciting junior dragsters out there—the Junior C7 Corvette. With years of testing, body modifications, and refinements, this car has already proven to be a winner on multiple occasions.
Jonathan’s son Donnie, named after his uncle, is not yet old enough to drive a junior. However, he already has a passion for the sport and painting. Donnie is at most racing events on the weekends and is eager to help his dad in the paint booth during the week. Just as Ricky passed on a talent and passion to Jonathan, we are confident that Jonathan will do the same for Donnie.
JPD is also deeply embedded in the racing community, partnering with some of the biggest events and organizations in the sport. Having been part of the OG Million since 1996, Lil Jones is thrilled to now be involved in giveaways and prizes at major events like the Folk family’s races and the Great American Races. In May, JPD will unveil an exciting prize for the Dream Team winner, adding another layer of excitement to an already thrilling event.
Built on Integrity and Community Support
Lil Jones attributes much of his success to the unwavering support of the drag racing community and the invaluable lessons he learned from his father. Jonathan says that he knows he would not be where he is today without the support of his father most of all.
Known for his honest communication and commitment to quality, Jonathan takes pride in delivering high-end custom work while maintaining transparency with his customers—a trait often overlooked in the industry.JPD’s mission is clear: to push the boundaries of creativity and craftsmanship in drag racing paint design. Whether you’re looking for a bold new look for your race car, a fully customized fire suit, or a next-level junior dragster, Jones Paint Design is proving that racing isn’t just about speed—it’s about style, too.
Get Started on Your Custom Paint Project
If you’re ready to transform your race car with a one-of-a-kind custom paint job, reach out to JPD for a rendering. You’ll work directly with Lil Jones to bring your vision to life, ensuring a design that stands out on and off the track. The total process varies from three to eight weeks, depending on the project’s details.
To get started, contact Jones Paint Design today and make your racing dreams a reality.
